Egg sharing and reciprocal IVF - any advice?

[LC8892]

Hi 👋

My wife and I have been exploring our options to start a family as a same sex couple.

We have decided that we would like to try Reciprocal IVF, with my wife carrying using my eggs. I would also like to share my eggs to help another woman/couple start their family.

I've been looking through the forum, and there are many posts - with lots of acronyms and information I just can't decipher. I wondered if anyone has any experience of egg sharing, or could tell us a little more about the IVF process - and what we may have in store?

Thanks so much in advance for any information

LC xx

[E_05]

Hi, I don’t have any experience of egg sharing but have had 4 cycles of IVF so didn’t want to read and run. Have you met with a fertility specialist or had any tests yet? I wish you lots of luck for your journey ahead, it can be an emotional roller coaster but with the support of each other and everyone on here I hope you get some answers soon x

[Fredaflintstone]

I think it would be worth checking you meet the criteria for egg sharing - under certain age and BMI etc. I think it can mean you get your treatment cheaper too. Worth making some Enquiries with different clinics. Good luck x

[LC8892]

Thanks E_05 - I think the process is very much the same, just when the eggs are retrieved they are halved and shared, and when the embryo is transferred they are then transferred in to my Wife. We haven't met with anyone yet - this is very early doors - we are just looking at clinics close by and enquiring with them, so hoping to have some responses soon. Thank you for your luck - I hope your journey is going okay?

Fredaflintstone - Thank you for your advice, we've checked the criteria and we match all the things we know , of course it is then dependent on certain levels and tests, which I can't find out yet. We are looking for our clinic now - any recommendations?

LC x

[Linds150]

My wife and wanted to do exactly that - use my egg, and she would carry. Unfortunately we weren’t able to do that as my wife doesn’t appear to be able to carry at this point. Hopefully in the future but who knows...

Instead I am now doing the prep to start our first cycle in jan.

Our friends however have gone through reciprocal ivf and gave birth to a beautiful little girl only a few mo this ago. They said that whilst it was logistically more involved, it was no more difficult then ‘normal’ ivf.

They recommended our clinic to us- they have been exceptional so far - if you would like the clinic details send me a private note and I’ll send it all across.

Either way, good luck with it all! X